And on Saturday, Schuaker most definitely said it, as his first home run of the season and 28th of his career led the Reds to a 5-1 victory over his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I go third person when I hit a homer,” Schumaker said Saturday with a bit of a sheepish laugh. “That’s what happens.”

The Reds hadn’t managed a hit off of Cardinals starter Lance Lynn until the fifth inning when Eugenio Suarez and Tucker Barnhart started the inning with back-to-back singles, trying to cut into St. Louis’ 1-0 lead.

But starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani couldn’t get a bunt down and Billy Hamilton popped up, bringing up Schumaker with two outs.

As he sat on the bench during the Reds’ resumption of Friday night’s game, Schumaker said he was talking with Homer Bailey and said this may be the first year of his career he ends up not hitting a home run. He had two last year in an injury-plagued season for the Reds, but hadn’t had one yet this year.

“I really thought that — ‘It’s Sept. 12, I guess this was it,’” Schumaker said afterward. Bailey confirmed it, but said he predicted today would be the day the drought was broken once he saw Schumaker in the team’s starting lineup.

On a 2-1 count, Schumaker jumped a Lynn fastball for his first homer of the season.

“That was definitely a relief, especially since I didn’t do my job at the plate getting the bunt down,” DeSclafani said. “I haven’t been doing well trying to get bunts down. Skip picked me up there. That was awesome. He was a ball of fire when he came into the dugout. It was really cool.”

Schumaker’s teammates were awaiting him as he circled the bases, erupting in high fives, smiles and cheers for him.

“It doesn’t happen too often, so I get real happy when I see one go over. And they know it,” Schumaker said. “They were probably as excited as I was.”

Well, except for maybe one person, he noted — “I think (Brayan) Pena was more upset that I hit one than anybody.” Pena, currently nursing a hamstring injury, is hitting .282 this season, but is still searching for his first homer.

And other than homers, you know what else Schumaker loves? Anthony DeSclafani.

The Reds starter allowed a run on three straight hits to start the game, but then retired the next 15 he faced, finishing with just the one run allowed on four hits over six innings, while striking out a career-high 10 batters.

“For me, Disco is a top of the rotation guy. He gets it. Not only does he have the work ethic and the stuff, he’s got the mindset for a top-of-the-rotation guy. I love everything about him,” Schumaker said. “For us to get him in a trade, it’s for me one of the best trades I’ve ever seen. To have him around the next couple of years is really a bright spot for this organization and they’re lucky to have him.”

Reds manager Bryan Price also sang the praises of the 25-year-old right-hander who improved to 9-10 on the season.

“He kind of found his curveball, his fastball command, a real good slider,” Price said. “I know we talk a lot about how good his stuff is, but if he doesn’t have the demeanor that he has, he doesn’t persevere through that first inning, most likely. He’s just a tough kid. I’m really happy about the development as a pitcher, but he made up with the makeup intact, he didn’t have to be taught how to be a tough kid.”

DeSclafani beat the Cardinals for the third time this season and has seemingly been his best against the best competition. With the win, he helped secure just the Reds' fourth series victory against the Cardinals in their last 19 and sets up Raisel Iglesias to go for the sweep on Sunday.

“I try to pitch good all the time,” DeSclafani said. “I don’t think it matters who I throw against or what team it is. I always want to prove myself out there every day.”

DeSclafani has shown he could be a staple of the Reds' rotation for years to come. Saturday was his 17th quality start in his 28 starts this season, the most on the team. He’s had eight quality starts in his last 10 appearances and leads all National League rookies in innings pitched.

It was the Cardinals’ eighth loss in their last 10 games, as the Cubs and Pirates start nipping at their heels in the National League Central. The Reds have four more games against the Cardinals, and three each against the Cubs and Pirates among their final 21 games of the season.

And Schumaker loves beating the Cardinals.

“In order for us to have some fun around here, you have to try to beat the teams that are going to the playoffs,” Schumaker said. “This is probably the organization I respect the most, it’s nice to win against them.”